Cardinals sweep Naturals with 3-2 win

Springdale, AR - The Springfield Cardinals completed the four-game sweep of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals with a 3-2 win before 7,318 fans at Arvest Ballpark on Friday night. The Cardinals have matched their season-high with a current six-game winning streak, taking 12 of their last 15 games overall.

After a pair of scoreless innings from both Cardinals RHP Mike Mayers (W, 5-5) and Naturals RHP J.C. Sulbaran (L, 8-9) to start the game, Springfield (29-30, 63-66) broke through in the top of the third inning. With one away, RF Rafael Ortega swung himself on with a single, before racing all the way home on an RBI triple to right field by 2B Breyvic Valera. One out later, DH Jonathan Rodriguez worked a walk to put runners at the corners. After one pitch to 1B Curt Smith, Sulbaran left the game with an injury, with RHP Aroni Nina taking over. Smith swatted Nina's first pitch to left field for an RBI single, before CF Charlie Tilson chopped an RBI base hit to left as well, swinging Springfield into the 3-0 lead.

Mayers kept the three-run lead intact through the scoreless bottom of the third, but the Naturals (26-33, 51-78) plated a pair in the fourth. 3B Hunter Dozier and SS Orlando Calixte knocked back-to-back base hits to open the inning with runners at the corners. DH Jorge Bonifacio then brought in Dozier with an RBI sacrifice fly to center field, getting the Naturals on the board. After a walk, Mayers dealt a strikeout for the second out in the inning. However, a LF Justin Trapp single loaded the bases, before RF Ethan Chapman forced in a run with an RBI walk to make it just a 3-2 deficit for the Naturals.

Mayers not only worked out of the fourth with no further damage, but then kept the one-run advantage intact through the scoreless fifth and sixth. The right-hander ended with five strikeouts through six innings with only the two runs allowed, logging his ninth quality start for Springfield.

RHP Mitch Harris picked up right where Mayers left off, tossing scoreless stanzas in the seventh and eighth innings. RHP Joey Donofrio (S, 13) then slammed the door with a scoreless bottom of the ninth, ending the game with consecutive strikeouts to close the 3-2 win for Springfield.

Click here for the complete box score from Friday's game.

Guarantee Individual Promo Items with the brand-new Promo Seats

The brand-new Promo Seats Package includes one Diamond Box Ticket for a game featuring a Promotional Item and guarantees that you receive one of that night's Promotional Items, plus a portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Hamels Foundation Cardinals Youth Initiative to provide tickets for area youth and non-profit organizations.

By purchasing the Promo Seats, fans will have an item reserved for them regardless of where they are in line or what time they arrive at the game. And, for the first time, out-of-town fans that order a Promo Seat Package can choose to have their Promotional Item mailed to them for an additional shipping and handling charge of $10 per item. Both out of town fans and those unable to make the game may donate their game ticket to the Hamels Foundation Cardinals Youth Initiative.

Promo Seat Packages are just $28 each and there are only 61 available for each game. Call the Ticket Office at (417) 863-2143 right now to order yours!

Click here for more information on Cardinals Promo Seats.

The Cardinals kick off the final homestand of the Regular Season on Saturday, August 23

The Cards come home for the final homestand of the 2014 Regular Season from Saturday, August 23 - Friday, August 29. The homestand will feature:

-AT&T St. Louis Cardinals Replica Jersey Giveaway (2,500), AT&T Dreams Come True Night and a Specialty Jersey Auction to benefit GYNCA on Saturday, August 23. First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

-Purina Bark in the Park and St. Louis Cardinals Fleece Blanket Giveaway (2,500), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and The Track Family Fun Parks Kids Race the Bases on Sunday, August 24. First Pitch is 5:10pm, gates open at 4:10pm.

-Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day on Tuesday, August 26. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Budweiser Commemorative 10th Season Beer Stein Giveaway (2,500, ages 21+) and "Buck a Brat" Night with $1 bratwursts all game on Thursday, August 28. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Fan Appreciation Day Free Vouchers for a 2015 Game and AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring the Top Hits of 2014 on Friday, August 29. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a The Cup Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.

Click here for the complete 2014 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

Escape to Cardinals Baseball!